Contract Categories

Description

An Independent Filmmaker, (a.k.a. the Producer of a/your Project), may require an Independent Minor Actor, (a person under the age of majority, a child actor), for the Project.

Employment of child actors raises special concerns because minors can repudiate contracts. A producer cannot enforce a disaffirmed contract. In hiring a minor, the Producer must also comply with provisions of the Labor Codes of the Jurisdiction and regulations of any Labor Commission.

Minors cannot perform work that is hazardous or detrimental to their health, safety, morals or education.

The Minor must have her/his contract signed by her/his Parent/Guardian. The Minor Actor(s) must have a Parent or Guardian on the set or qualified supervision. Children tend to get bored, restless, and may wander.

Signing this contract the independent Minor Actor is assigning any and all Rights to their performance over to the Producer. The Parent/Guardian release is attached.

This Agreement between the independent Minor Actor and the Producer is drafted in plain English that is easy to read and comprehend. This is a four page, fourteen clause legal document. The Agreement may be filled in on your computer or printed out and filled in later.

Boiler–plate clauses, amongst others in the Agreement, include: waiver of Minor Actor’s right to inspect or approve the final cut, confidentiality, dismissal for drug/alcohol/illegal photographs/nuisance etc., engagement dates, termination notice.

We regularly receive feedback that we have successfully drafted our filmmaker contracts to be as complete as possible for all legal situations. However, should you experience a unique personal situation requiring the drafting of a special clause, please contact us at your convenience. Otherwise, you may be obliged to find a local entertainment lawyer experienced in the film making industry who will draft any and all other clauses for your Project’s unique situation or circumstance.

There are two forms of this Agreement. The first agreement is drafted for the Minor Actor’s free/gratis grant of her/his/Acting skills in the Producer’s Project. The Project may be a film, music video, stage play, documentary, animation/cartoon voice-over etc.

The second form of the Agreement is the independent Minor Actor for Pay.

This Agreement is one of the contracts in the Actor’s Deal and Director’s Deal.

1. For and in consideration as an “Independent Minor Actor” (hereafter called the “Actor”), engaged by the Producer(S) and the Production company (hereafter called the “Producer”), on terms stated herein, the above named Actor hereby gives the above named Producer(s), their legal representatives and assigns, those for whom the Producer is acting and those acting with their permission, or their employees, the right and permission to copyright or use, reuse and/or publish, and republish or present photographic (still and/or live action) images of me, with or without my voice recorded, and/or recordings of my voice, in which I may be distorted in character, or form, in conjunction with my own or fictitious name, on any reproductive media, including film, digital video, video tape, Web sites, multi-media programs, or the like, in color or black & white, made through any media by the Producer, in the studio or elsewhere (the “Materials”), for any purpose whatsoever; including the use of any printed matter or live action presentation in conjunction therewith.

2. The Actor hereby waives any right to inspect or approve the finished photograph, videotape, film, printed matter or advertising copy that may be used in conjunction therewith or the eventual use to which the Materials be applied.

3. The Actor hereby releases, discharges and agrees to hold harmless, the Producer, the Photographer, or Sound Recordist, their representatives, assigns, employees or any person or persons, corporation or corporations, acting under the Producer’s permission or authority, or any person, persons, corporation or corporations, for whom the Producer might be acting, including any firm publishing, presenting and/or distributing the Materials, in whole or in part, from and against any liability as a result of this presentation or any distortion, blurring, or alteration, optical illusion, or use in . . . (continued)